Social Work And Health Committee - 16/12/2002

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th December, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th November, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I A CONSISTENT APPROACH TO TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY

There was submitted Report No 831-2002 by the Director of Social Work recommending new arrangements for the funding of transport for adults with a disability in local authority residential units and the introduction of a system of fair and equitable access to transport for all permanent residents of local authority residential units.

The Committee agreed:

(i) that a framework of funding be introduced that would ensure the transport needs of adults with a learning disability in residential settings are made in a consistent and equitable manner;

(ii) that a weekly contribution be approved by all residents at a cost of providing transport. This contribution would be linked to the rate of mobility, component of disability living allowance received by the resident and those in receipt of lower rate of mobility component or disability living allowance would contribute 5 per week and 10 per week for all those receiving higher rate of mobility component disability allowance; and

(iii) that the acquisition of two vehicles for Maryfield House and a replacement for the existing vehicle at Elmgrove House be approved.

II CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROVISION OF EQUIPMENT AND ADAPTATIONS

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereafter.

On a reference to Article VI of the Best Value Sub-Committee held on 26th February, 2002 there was submitted Agenda Note AN341-2002 reporting that to assist with the alignment of policy and practice regarding the provision of equipment that charging for equipment and adaptations be revised.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the standard charge of 25.00 which applied to most equipment be removed;

(ii) that the 4.00 weekly charge for electrical operated equipment be removed; and

(iii) that the present arrangements for financial support for adaptations continue;

III COMMUNITY ALARM SERVICE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT

There was submitted Report No 892-2002 by the Director of Social Work advising of the need to replace and upgrade equipment used by the Community Alarm Service to support and monitor the care of vulnerable adults and older people.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that Community Alarm equipment currently outwith warranty be replaced;

(ii) that the main server be upgraded to develop its capacity to manage SMART equipment;

(iii) that server upgrade and replacement units be procured from the current supplier Tunstall; and

(iv) that resources be allocated from within the Social Work Department Revenue Budget to ensure that the Community Alarm Service could continue to deploy effect safe passive alarms and to network with next generation SMART technologies.

IV FUNDING OF HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HOMECARE SERVICE

On a reference to Article VI of minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 16th December, 2002 there was submitted Joint Report No 872-2002 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Housing seeking approval for the proposed alteration to the method of funding for housing support services.

The Committee agreed that the proposals contained within the report be approved so far as the interests of the Committee were concerned.

V FOSTERING SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 864-2002 by the Director of Social Work on the progress of the fostering services, including the business of the Fostering Panel.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the contents of the amended Fostering Panel Constitution as detailed in the report be approved; and

(ii) that the expansion of the membership of the Fostering Panel to include an additional two members as outlined in the amended Constitution be approved.

VI ADOPTION SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 865-2002 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the progress of the Dundee City Council Adoption Services including the business of the Adoption Panel.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the contents of the amended Adoption Panel Constitution be approved; and

(ii) that the expansion of the membership of the Adoption Panel to include an additional two members as outlined in the amended Constitution be approved.

VII APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTOR

On a reference to Article IV of the meeting of 18th November, 2002 there was submitted Agenda Note AN342-2002 reporting that a contractor had now been appointed for the construction of a replacement for the Balgowan Avenue Young Persons Unit.

The Committee noted that Torith Limited, Dundee had now been appointed as partnering contractor for this project.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the next item of business on the grounds that this would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the above Act.

VIII GRANT FUNDING - 2001/2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN343-2002 about grant funding allocated to an organisation during 2001/2002.

The Committee agreed the proposals as outlined.

BETTY WARD, Convener